Ric Hassani and Portable? Internet Shakes as Unlikely Collab Hits 'Lagos Lover Boy' Album

In what is perhaps the most surprising musical twist of the year, Ric Hassani has set the internet on fire with news that street-hop sensation Portable, also known as Za Zuu, features on his brand new album Lagos Lover Boy. The announcement has not only sparked intense conversations across social media but has also left fans and critics alike scrambling to make sense of the creative pairing no one saw coming.

Ric Hassani, best known for his soft, romantic ballads and elegant production style, has built a reputation as Nigeria’s gentleman of soul. Portable, on the other hand, has made his mark with chaotic street energy, raw delivery, and his famously unfiltered presence. The thought of these two artists sharing studio time—let alone releasing a joint track—seemed impossible. Yet here we are, and the internet is eating it up.

Lagos Lover Boy, a 21-track album, is set to go live at 12AM, and Ric isn’t holding anything back. The project is loaded with high-profile collaborations, boasting appearances from fan-favorites like OdumoduBlvck, Tolibian, Joeboy, Phyno, and even R&B legend Ne-Yo. But among all these celebrated names, it’s Portable who has managed to steal the show before a single note has been heard.

Social media platforms have exploded since the tracklist surfaced. Fans of Portable, a fiercely loyal and vocal crowd, are defending the collaboration as genius. “If Portable can sing ‘Ogo Forever,’ then he can blend with Ric Hassani, no cap,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Others chimed in with memes, speculations, and jokes, all of which underscore one fact: people are deeply curious.

How does the raw, frenetic energy of Za Zuu sit alongside Ric’s smooth vocals and carefully crafted harmonies? What kind of song could possibly contain both of these forces without collapsing under the weight of their stark contrast? While we wait for midnight to bring answers, the buzz is already doing heavy lifting for Ric’s rollout.

Ric Hassani himself is clearly brimming with confidence. He’s called Lagos Lover Boy his best work yet and boldly declared it the “album of the year.” For an artist known for quiet confidence and heartfelt lyrics, that’s a statement worth noting. Whether the collaboration with Portable was a calculated risk, a leap of faith, or a stroke of creative genius, Ric appears fully committed.

There’s no denying the larger strategic brilliance here either. Portable’s fanbase is one of the most engaged and reactive in Nigeria’s music scene. By pulling in a polarizing figure like him, Ric may have cracked a formula that appeals to both the alternative R&B crowd and the street-hop demographic. In an era where virality often trumps tradition, that kind of fusion could very well turn Lagos Lover Boy into the cultural moment Ric is hoping for.

And it’s not just fans who are reacting. Industry watchers are equally intrigued. The collaboration has been called everything from “genre-bending genius” to “a mad gamble” in online forums and group chats. One music journalist described it as “the Afrobeats equivalent of mixing wine with engine oil, but we’re all curious to take a sip.”

Even Ric’s role as a judge on Nigerian Idol has added another layer of tension to the conversation. The image of the composed, well-spoken judge now sharing space with the unpredictable energy of Portable has left fans of the show with more questions than answers. Is this a sign Ric is loosening up? Or is it a deeper reflection of where Nigerian music is headed—towards wild experimentation and unpredictable collaborations?

One thing’s for sure: nobody is looking away. In fact, if the goal was to turn heads, Ric and Portable have already won. This isn’t just a musical release; it’s a full-blown culture event.

Of course, none of this hype guarantees success. When the song drops, the public will be the final judge. Will it be a chart-topping surprise or an ambitious miss? Will it spark more collaborations across genre lines or serve as a one-time curiosity? Midnight holds the answers, but the lead-up has been nothing short of electric.

And with so much anticipation swirling around the track, it’s likely that Lagos Lover Boy will enjoy an avalanche of first-listen streams just to satisfy the curiosity alone. The inclusion of international acts like Ne-Yo alongside homegrown talents like Joeboy and Phyno ensures that the album has global appeal, but the Ric-Portable track is already the main event.

Even rival artists have subtly chimed in. A few cryptic posts from other musicians suggest that the unexpected move has ruffled feathers—or inspired respect. In a highly competitive industry, Ric’s move may shift conversations around who gets to collaborate with who and what “genre” even means anymore.

If nothing else, the collaboration proves one thing: Nigerian music is no longer playing it safe. The lines are blurring, the rules are bending, and the boundaries of taste and tradition are being tested in real-time. Whether you're a day-one Ric Hassani stan or a Za Zuu disciple, this moment belongs to both camps.

All eyes are now on the clock. As the countdown to 12AM ticks away, fans are refreshing their streaming apps, prepping their reactions, and bracing for whatever madness Ric and Portable have cooked up in the studio. One thing is certain—Lagos Lover Boy is not going unnoticed.

Tonight, we’ll find out if music really can unite the unlikeliest of voices—or if some boundaries are better left untouched. Either way, it’s a night for the history books.